HC Deb 28 February 1884 vol 285 cc74-5
MR. CAINE

asked the Secretary to the Local Government Board, If it is true that several persons were refused admittance to the Casual Ward of the Whitechapel Workhouse on Friday night the 22nd instant; and, if so, how many; and, if this does not frequently happen at the Whitechapel Workhouse and at other workhouses in the Metropolis?

MR. GEORGE RUSSELL

Sir, we have made inquiries, and find that about 11 o'clock on the night in question four men applied for admission at the casual wards of the Whitechapel Workhouse. There were then 43 male paupers in the wards, and there was only room for one more. The officer on duty offered to admit one of the four; but each refused to enter unless all could be admitted. There has only been one other occasion during the present year—namely, on the 3rd of January, when it was found necessary to refuse admission to the Whitechapel casual wards, in consequence of the wards being full. As regards the Metropolis generally, it is sometimes necessary to refer an applicant at one ward to the ward in an adjoining parish; but we have reason to believe that the number of such cases in the past year has been much less than in previous years. It may be observed that when a pauper cannot be admitted to the casual ward at which he applies, and appears to be unable to go on to the next ward, the rule is to admit him to the workhouse.